Arizona's Immigration Law Cost Them $140 Million

The Center for American Progress has a warning for states considering Arizona-esque legislation on illegal immigration: You can't afford it. CAP commissioned a study by a Scottsdale economic firm, which concluded that Arizona has already lost $140 million as a result of its restrictive new rules, which require law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status if the cops have any reason to think they're in the country illegally. The study says that in the last four months, hotels lost out on $45 million worth of business from conventions and other events, and it estimates that visitors participating in those events would have spent another $96 million in the state. Texas should take note—the lawmakers there are reportedly considering an immigration law that mimics Arizona's, but the Lone Star State is also facing a $25 billion budget shortfall.

Should we enforce the law or not? I guess it is a matter of money then. Is that a Republican idea??? Does it matter if illegals come in and commit violent crimes? Well if it is going to cost us money to enforce the law then to heck with it. If the illegals kill off a few citizens then the fewer that require Social Security and Medicare! And who better to report on the research than Slate.com -a source you can trust. LOL! And another organization that is totally impartial funding the whole matter -Center for American Progress! Should I respond with a rant from Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck?Posted by Newtster

HAHAhahahahahaha. Of course, immediately drop the "argument" that the problem with illegals is that they get entitlements from our socialist government - and that the economic cost associated with that is bankrupting the states they live in - without the slightest recognition that you made it.

Then shoot the messanger (slate).

And completely ignore that "CAP commissioned a study by a Scottsdale economic firm,"

My my my. The extent you go to, to avoid having to think about information that undermines your position.

Arizona's Immigration Law Cost Them $140 Million The Center for American Progress has a warning for states considering Arizona-esque legislation on illegal immigration: You can't afford it . CAP commissioned a study by a Scottsdale economic firm, which concluded that Arizona has already lost $140 million as a result of its restrictive new rules, which require law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status if the cops have any reason to think they're in the country illegally. The study says that in the last four months, hotels lost out on $45 million worth of business from conventions and other events, and it estimates that visitors participating in those events would have spent another $96 million in the state. Texas should take note—the lawmakers there are reportedly considering an immigration law that mimics Arizona's, but the Lone Star State is also facing a $25 billion budget shortfall . http://slatest.slate.com/id/2275495/entry/2/Posted by WhatIsItNow

Ummm.. the Center for American Progress is a George Soros Socialist organization designED to spread lies and propoganda to the dimwitted.

In Response to Ooops? Economic harm from AZ bill may be greater than any "gains" : Ummm.. the Center for American Progress is a George Soros Socialist organization design to spreed lies and propoganda to the dimwitted. But the rarely find anyone stupid enough to believe their nonsense.Posted by OscarBozachT00

We have the honor of being joined by Beck's loyal lapdog. Thank you for your typical uselessness, Oscar.

Arizona's Immigration Law Cost Them $140 Million The Center for American Progress has a warning for states considering Arizona-esque legislation on illegal immigration: You can't afford it . CAP commissioned a study by a Scottsdale economic firm, which concluded that Arizona has already lost $140 million as a result of its restrictive new rules, which require law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status if the cops have any reason to think they're in the country illegally. The study says that in the last four months, hotels lost out on $45 million worth of business from conventions and other events, and it estimates that visitors participating in those events would have spent another $96 million in the state. Texas should take note—the lawmakers there are reportedly considering an immigration law that mimics Arizona's, but the Lone Star State is also facing a $25 billion budget shortfall . http://slatest.slate.com/id/2275495/entry/2/Posted by WhatIsItNow

Facts are facts, regardless of what Glen Beck says or doesnt say.....The Center for American Progress is in fact funded by George Soros. To what extent is unknown, since the Center fails to disclose its specific contributors.

Imagine that , it is a "secret" group! During the recent political campaign, such organizations which donated to Republicans were considered evil and possibly flush with foreign money...

Yawn. You stop enforcing laws when they don't work and there's a better approach. You stop enforcing laws when you're shooting yourself in-the-ass. You might recognize the expression better as "cutting off your nose to spite your face."

When I discuss this...i return to some simple reasons as to why this law is bad

One simple example involves using Using Governor Bill Richardson(NM) - Put him in a neighborhood in any Az city in casual wear and have him stopped by oh say, a cop whose behavior is aready inclined to approach thug "sheriff" Joe Arparo (sp?) - If you have no reasonable way to prevent this citizen from being racially profiled, then the law remains seriously flawed and shows the issues, very serious issues with doing real Immigration reform.

There are several issues besides the "collateral profiling".....racism which i still think is a main motivation of this law...implications that this law is a payout to Private

Prison interests Jan Brewer kneels to, but there is still that "shameful" old 14th Amendment RW'ers love to re-intrepret to their goals.

I can't be sorry for this state's losses because they were gleefully self-inflicted

So if we do happen to catch illegals we shouldn't deport them because it costs too much money? I agree we may not want to be spending our time searching them out. But if we do catch them we shouldn't ignore the law because it's "too costly".

Targeting the employers isn't going to happen. It's the best course of action, but it ain't happening. So at the very least we should be deporting as we catch.

Yawn. You stop enforcing laws when they don't work and there's a better approach. You stop enforcing laws when you're shooting yourself in-the-ass. You might recognize the expression better as "cutting off your nose to spite your face." Focus on employers. Profiling and deporting everyone costs too much money. Posted by WhatIsItNow

Yah, letting anyone who can strap on a pair of sneakers walk across our border, you nailed it! that's such a better way.

Why is the left so afraid to have people come into this country legitimately? Are you all prone to illegality?

The solution to illegal immigration is to make them legal. Then they can pay taxes and the number one argument by the wingies is removed.

You want to protect jobs for the additional legal immigrants, then form a Union.

If a law needlessly impacts commerce in a negative way, then it shouldn't be a law. And instead of focusing on ALL illegal aliens, law enforcment officials will be free to focus their attention on truly dangerous criminals.

Facts are facts, regardless of what Glen Beck says or doesnt say.....The Center for American Progress is in fact funded by George Soros. To what extent is unknown, since the Center fails to disclose its specific contributors. Imagine that , it is a "secret" group! During the recent political campaign, such organizations which donated to Republicans were considered evil and possibly flush with foreign money...Posted by BobinVa

If the Center for American Progress is a secret group, how do you know it's funded by Soros?

In Response to Ooops? Economic harm from AZ bill may be greater than any "gains" : Ummm.. the Center for American Progress is a George Soros Socialist organization designED to spread lies and propoganda to the dimwitted. But they rarely find anyone stupid enough to believe their nonsense.Posted by OscarBozachT00

I thought Fox News was set up to spread lies and propaganda to the dimwitted.

The solution to illegal immigration is to make them legal. Then they can pay taxes and the number one argument by the wingies is removed. You want to protect jobs for the additional legal immigrants, then form a Union. If a law needlessly impacts commerce in a negative way, then it shouldn't be a law. And instead of focusing on ALL illegal aliens, law enforcment officials will be free to focus their attention on truly dangerous criminals.Posted by DirtyWaterLover

The solution to illegal immigration is to make them legal

So rewards those who entered the country illegally.

And instead of focusing on ALL illegal aliens, law enforcment officials will be free to focus their attention on truly dangerous criminals.

Until the next wave of illegals floods our country....and the cycle continues.

I don't see the part mentioned where more than 100,000 illegal aliens left Arizona. They also left with their kids that ate free in school, took seats in much needed affordable daycare and used public transportation on the publics dime. There are conventions that won't come but there are conventions that will return because it will be much cheaper to house the attendees, rent the convention centers etc. The citizens will absorb the initial loss and move on with their lives.